Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said in a council meeting she would commit to opposing further encroachment on Jarry Park with Tennis Canada’s plans for a new stadium. Martinez Ferrada was asked in a council meeting Monday if she would commit to no further encroachment by Tennis Canada into Jarry Park and the mayor agreed, stating that she’s made it clear with the organization that she won’t compromise the quality of life for nearby residents. Her comments come after a growing number of Montrealers opposed Tennis Canada’s plans to build a new stadium. It currently hosts the National Bank Open in Montreal at the IGA Stadium, located in Jarry Park. However, Tennis Canada said a new stadium is necessary to meet the needs of professional circuits. The goal is to have the new stadium operational for the National Bank Open in 2032. Valérie Tétreault, Vice-President of communications and professional tournaments for Tennis Canada, said while the plan would mean building on more of the park, they won’t necessarily occupy a bigger space. “The vision would be that for, any new space that we would, taken in the park, that we would give back some of the space that we occupy,” Tétreault told CTV News. “Right now, we’re very close to a space that is part of our land lease agreement with the city of Montreal, that we use for parking, for example, two weeks out of the year, during the tournament. That is space that we could work with the city, give back, to the residents, the park users, and see how, you know, that can become, now, a new space in Jarry Park.” Tétreault said she hopes the mayor will meet with Tennis Canada to discuss the plans further. “We are at the very early stages of the project, and as we continue the discussions with them, those are the things that, in fact, we need to clarify. There’s still a long way to go before, we can talk about the construction phase, and a lot of things to confirm,” she said. CTV News reached out to the mayor’s office for further comment but did not receive one in time for publication.
